About

Based in Bristol, UK, I am a freelance writer and consultant working on Japan’s aquaculture and fisheries development.  I have an MSc in Sustainable Aquaculture from the University of St Andrews, and a BA in Japanese and French from the University of Cardiff, UK.

My work is based around issues related to sustainability, research, gender, technological advancements, adaptation and resilience.  I have a keen interest in the recovery of aquaculture in the Tohoku region following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11th, 2011.  As a writer, I also provide news stories, features and reports from Japan for national and international seafood and fisheries media.

While living in Tokyo between 2006 and 2017, I worked as a writer on Japan’s aquaculture and marine-related subjects, in particular scuba diving.  My blog began in 2011 as a comprehensive guide to diving in Japan.  I have enjoyed exploring Japan’s waters extensively, and became a certified Dive Master in August 2015.

Photo credit: Ahmed Chami, Pics&Snaps, Bristol

 

 

 

23 thoughts on “About”

    1. Rising Bubbles Post author

      Thanks Elizabeth, really glad you’re enjoying it! Things have slowed down recently because of all the typhoons but am hoping to be back in the water soon 🙂 how are things with you?

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  4. Adam

    What a nice blog – you have been to some nice places! I recently discovered PIT and went to Geruma. I highly recommend Geruma 😉 I will certainly go there again.
    Adam

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  5. Chloe

    Hi Bonnie, my name is Chloe and I work to coordinate the activities of Green Fins internationally. Green Fins is a practical system to implement environmental standards within the diving industry, getting both the government and the diving industry working together. It’s active in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philipppines, Vietnam and the Maldives. We’re currently in discussions with the Ministry of Environment, Japan to see how Green Fins might apply in Japan. Our first mission is to reach out to the diving enthusiasts of Japan with environmental information. You’re experience would be so valuable in providing us guidance about how to reach out. Would you be willing to offer us a little advice? If so, please contact me directly. Thank you.

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    1. Rising Bubbles Post author

      Hi Chloe, thanks so much for getting in touch. I’d be delighted to help with the Green Fins environmental standards. Presumably I can find your email address through your website? I will send you a message soon!
      Best wishes
      Bonnie

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  6. Raya Gancheva

    Hello Bonnie,
    This might be a bit off topic 🙂 I apologize for that. I just watched a documentary on NHK World called “The Future Of Iwate”. The episode was very interesting and it showed many great aspects of that region, however what grabbed my attention the most was your excellent use of Japanese 🙂 As a Japanese language student myself, I really appreciated the way you integrated the language within the documentary, and the way that the subtitles allowed the watchers to hear the actual speakers, instead of a dubbed voice-over. I am very much a beginner myself, and I was wondering, if you wouldn’t mind me asking, if there are any opportunities to work with NHK, once I improve my language skills? I do often see some incredibly skilled reporters like yourself on these shows, however many of them have had some sort of Japanese background. Is that a preference? I am really interested in perusing a reporter/magazine writing career within Japan and I thought that the advice of someone who has delved into this aspect would be quite beneficial.
    Thank you very much! I really enjoyed your work 🙂
    Kind Regards
    Raya Gancheva

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    1. Rising Bubbles Post author

      Hi Raya, thanks so much for your kind comments and I’m really glad you liked the show on Iwate! It was a lot of fun to film and the area is extremely interesting, full of good food, culture, and art. I will send you a separate email about NHK which hopefully will answer your questions 🙂
      Bonnie

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  8. Steve

    15 plus years ago. There was a pretty cool out cropping with a dive school right on the road. It was pretty busy on the weekends and there were eels, elephant kelp andl cool critters. It was’t too far a drive from Yokosuka and was cheap. I don’t remember an issue with currents but you wanted to watch out during low tides because the shore was the sharp (volcanic?) rock you find all along the shores. Just curious if you had worked your way north. Great Blog. Thank you.

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  9. tasnimmy

    Hello Bonnie, I’m a huge fan of your blog! It really inspired me to consider Japan as a place to dive, and i’m planning to go to Tokyo in September. I’d really love to dive for a few days.

    Was wondering if you can recommend a “foreigner-friendly” dive center in Tokyo that provides day trips out (for fun dives)? I’ve been trying to browse through the internet but many sites for various dive centers are down, unfortunately.

    Thank you so much for all the details on your blog; my aim is to slowly save up and follow your journey through Japan’s dive sites…. It’s a long shot but your images is too amazing for me to miss out on Japan waters…!!!

    Thank you again!

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    2. Rising Bubbles Post author

      Hi tasnimmy, thanks so much for the kind comments, I’m delighted you’re enjoying the blog and photos! Have you already got tickets/made plans for your Tokyo trip? There will be some dives going on in September with an English-speaking dive group in Tokyo, and I can recommend a few dive centres out of Tokyo as well, along the Izu island chain south of the capital for example. I notice you have a gmail address so if you don’t mind I will send you a message there with more information. Happy diving! Bonnie

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      1. tasnimmy

        Hi Bonnie! Thank you for the reply! Yes, i’ve just booked my flight two days ago, and will be in Japan during the 26th September weekend! (I’m so bloody excited!)

        To try out, i’ve e-mailed Discovery Divers Tokyo and found out they’re doing an Atami event during the time that i’ll be in Japan! But only on one day, Saturday. I’ll probably join them for that, but i’m looking for another dive day-trip out for Sunday! I want to dive fully on both days!

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      3. Rising Bubbles Post author

        Hi tasnimmy, for sure, I will send you a message later on today with more details. Am glad you managed to find DDT, they are a very good group. Will be in touch soon 🙂

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      4. Rising Bubbles Post author

        Hi there, sorry not to have emailed you yet. I am out of Tokyo right now but back Thurs so you’ll definitely have a message from me then. If there’s anything you want to know about urgently, for your upcoming trip, drop me a line here 🙂

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